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About Us

We are an all-volunteer, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to finding caring, committed homes for retired racing greyhounds. We promote greyhound adoption by providing information to the public on what wonderful pets these retired athletes make. 4 Greyhound Racers serves the northern Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin areas.

4 Greyhound Racers is a foster-based adoption program. While waiting for their "happy ever after", our hounds are in a foster home, learning the basics of how to be a pet. Our foster families have cats, small dogs, children and work hours. They live in apartments, townhouses, single family homes and farms. Our foster families are the heart and soul of our adoption group - and truly, what sets us apart.

Our Board of Directors

Sue Purdom

I have spent most of my life with various rescued large breed dogs. I grew up with many Afghan hounds, so to transition to retired racers during my adult life was logical. I have served many duties within the Greyhound community including transporting of dogs, developing foster families, developing and implementing fundraisers, coordinating adoptions, and overseeing the care for large numbers of dogs when I served as a Greyhound Kennel Manager. I have been a resource and support for troubleshooting to many new and old adopters over the years. I have adopted all ages and types of Greyhounds. Some of my most rewarding experienced have been with fostering and adopting brood moms and special needs dogs.

Jennifer Laughman

We adopted our first greyhound in 2001 from Dairyland. She quickly schooled us on separation anxiety, so after a few months we brought home a brother for her. Our third hound was a senior that was returned by his "family" so they could go and join the circus! We have never had less than a house full of greyhounds, and hope to keep it that way for years to come.

My involvement in the greyhound community began with kennel volunteer work, then expanded to fostering, transporting, meet & greeting, fundraising, and hound photography. I then added greyhound puppy fostering to my experience, which was a good lesson in patience and cleanup!

When I'm not spending time with my hounds, I am missing them while I'm at work flying for the airlines. I also enjoy reading, photography, volleyball, canine nutrition and natural medicine.

Denise Kowalik

Growing up I was peppered with stories of my mother doing everything she could to treat racing greyhounds as house pets, an unusual attitude for the time. My mother grew up in Tralee, Ireland, where her father worked as a Greyhound trainer. She wasn’t ashamed to admit that she sacrificed many nights caring for an ailing greyhound by curling up next to them in the shed.

So it didn’t shock me to hear my sister (my roommate at the time) suggest we adopt a retired racing greyhound. Our intentions were to get two small females...and wouldn't you know it, we ended up with a 70 pound female and a 90 pound male! I eventually began volunteering at a greyhound kennel where I became involved in many different aspects of the operation. I have distributed medications, tracked dogs for billing purposes, supported meet-and-greets, fostered, transported, and helped with personality testing.

Being involved with greyhound rescue has given me the opportunity to meet some wonderful volunteers and together we are able to spread the knowledge we have gained from one another about this wonderful breed.

I work as a Closing Manager for a new home construction builder, but my true calling will always be to this special breed!